Maddog's Blog

As usual, another action packed summer has come and gone in the blink of an eye. I played 14 tournaments in the last 18 weeks. This is always the most exciting time of my year, and I love the urgency that comes along with it.This cramped time of tournament play is, after all, what I spend the whole year training for.

I left off during my last off week, with three LPGA tournaments ahead: CP Women’s Canadian Open, Cambia Portland Classic, and Indy Women in Tech.

My priority status was not good enough for a place in the Canadian Open, so I ventured up to Canada early to give myself two chances to play my way into the field. This was the biggest non-major LPGA event of the year, and with my number of remaining starts running low, I desperately wanted to play. I didn’t get the job done in a small two day PGA of Canada tourney in Toronto, but I then fired a 69 to get through the Monday qualifier in Ottawa! After many unsuccessful Monday qualifier attempts over the past couple years, and especially after not getting a practice round due to a cancelled flight, getting through in Ottawa was a moment to be savored.

The Canadian Open might have been my favorite event of the year. This is Canada’s national championship, and it had that high caliber feeling. The Ottawa Hunt Club was a fun, challenging test, the pro-am party was extravagant, crowds were big, and we received Lululemon clothes as a player gift! Even as a member of the LPGA Tour, I’m not ashamed to admit I haven’t outgrown the thrill of a great tee prize.

My quality of play stayed steady but I didn’t get much out of my rounds during the tournament. I shot 73-72 and missed the cut by one shot- always a cruel feeling in golf.

We then journeyed a tidy little 2,900 miles to Portland, OR. The Cambia Portland Classic is another fun event. Columbia Edgewater is a pure golf course in my favorite part of the country, I had the support of local friends and family out watching, and my belly was oh so happy thanks to that famous Portland food scene. Sadly, I could not have hit the ocean if I was standing on Cannon Beach. I got some sort of weird swing idea in my head starting Tuesday and didn’t hit a solid shot for four days. I lost confidence early and let my emotions get the best of me, something I am always striving to improve.

I caught a flight out of Portland Saturday night and was on the range Sunday afternoon in Scottsdale with my swing coach, Gabe Hjertstedt. We re-tuned and worked on a swing feel I could trust. On Monday, off I flew to Indianapolis.

I had the help of another coach when I got to Indy- Todd Kolb, who has assisted with my putting over the last year. We got in some solid putting practice and talked through a game plan together on Wednesday afternoon as I still felt uneasy about my game. I resolved to be specific about my shot choices, pick one clear focus on every shot, and then give up control of results. And wouldn’t you know, I shot 67 on Thursday! I followed that up with 72-72 for T-42 finish. I certainly would have liked to go lower, but all in all the week was a step forward.

I wrote this blog while heading down under- "Kia ora" from New Zealand! I am so excited to be playing the McKayson Women’s Open in Auckland Sep 28-Oct 1. This will be my thirteenth and final LPGA event of the season, and what a place to finish with a bang! The flight may have been long, but hey, so is this blog. I’ll also be taking five days to travel (sans clubs) once the tourney ends. Check my social medias for pictures and posts to come.

I didn’t get pictures with my host families over the course of the last month, but I’d like to give a major thank you to the Parker, Trickey, Atkinson, McCleary, and Lacey families for their hospitality. Their generosity is what makes my travel a joy instead of a burden. Thank you all!

Loved that Canadian Pacific brought us to Ottawa. On the right: checking out the National Gallery with Giulia Molinaro. Below: One of the Canadian Parliament buildings.

Hole 5 at Columbia Edgewater CC in Portland. The trees remind me of something in a Dr. Seuss book.

I was so grateful to have my childhood friends and now Portland residents Alexis Atkinson and Meghan Hughes out watching.

A unique set up in Indy- the four finishing holes at the Pete Dye designed Brickyard Crossing GC are in the infield of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. NASCAR and golf... what a match made in heaven ;)